The Memorial Day Celebration in the Presidio began with the Grand March from the Main Post Parade Ground to the San Francisco National Cemetery. Our cars were the last group to climb the hill to the cemetery behind the U.S. Army Color Guard, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the 191st Army Band. The day was warm and clear – a perfect day to honor our heroes.

This day, Memorial Day, is the day the country has chosen to honor those Americans who have died in service to their country. On this day the country honors its heroes with an invocation, a 21 gun salute, the singing of God Bless America, and Amazing Grace. All of this was preceded by the playing of the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Memorial Day is like no other day in the year. References to God and Country are rarely heard except on this day. In past years, we pledged allegiance regularly and we understood what it meant to be an American. We learned about America in our schools and churches. We understood what made our country great.

This is why we need to be there, in the Presidio, on Memorial Day. We need to honor our dead and reflect on the principles for which they sacrificed their lives.